Govt keen to develop Jammu as modern city: Dy CM

JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today said that government has initiated various ambitious projects to make Jammu a modern city adding a discernable change on ground will become visible in coming days.

Speaking at a function organized by the Chamber of Traders Federation Jammu, Dr Nirmal Singh said with completion of ambitious tourism centric projects, the city of temples is all set to become an independent tourist destination.

Reiterating that government is focused on development, Dr Singh said “Various projects for the beautification of Jammu are already initiated and many more are in pipeline.”

Dr Nirmal Singh said that Rs 5 crore project has been sanctioned to develop Green Space in the city areas adding that the government is also focused on to deal with the biggest challenge of traffic congestion in the winter capital. He said several parking projects are under construction including Rs 201 Crore General Bus stand modernization project and Rs 35 crore Multi-Tier parking at Panjtirthi.

He also highlighted the recently launched UJALA scheme and urged the people to buy the subsidized LED bulbs to save energy. He further said that free 30 units electricity will be provided to the BPL families of the state from January onwards which will be a major relief for them.

Highlighting the features of Jammu Master Plan, Dr Singh said that it was put in public domain and the suggestions received from the trader fraternity and public will be given due consideration while finalizing the plan .

Deputy Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Trader fraternity in cooperating with the government in maintaining peace and harmony in the state when anti-national elements tried to disturb the atmosphere in Jammu.

Speaking on the prevailing situation in Kashmir, Deputy Chief Minister said that the All Party Delegation headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is visiting Srinagar tomorrow and will be meeting all stakeholders to seek their suggestions and views to bring normalcy back in valley. He further said that the issues of Trader Federation will also be taken up before All Party Delegation.

Speaker Legislative Assembly, Kavinder Gupta said that the peace is key to development and growth in any society and the government is determined to meet the aspirations of the people. He further said that the Centre and State government are very serious about J&K and appropriate steps will be taken to normalize the situation in Kashmir. He appreciated the role of people of Jammu in maintaining brotherhood and peace.

Minister of State, Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Department of Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi said that said that government is focused on the development of tourism in Jammu and many steps are being taken to develop tourist spots. She said that the government is keen to develop Patnitop, Kud area where various projects would be started on PPP mode. She further said that Suchetgarh border will be developed on the pattern of Wagah border to promote border tourism.

Priya Sethi said that soon the department of Tourism is going to organize Travel Mart in Jammu to facilitate the hotel, tour and travel industry of Jammu.

On the occasion, President, Chamber of Traders Federation Jammu Neeraj Anand highlighted the issue of huge loss to trader community, industry and service providers due to prevailing situation in Kashmir and urged for the compensation.

He also urged the Deputy Chief Minister to issue instructions to the concerned agencies to expedite the works on already initiated development projects by the government in the city including Tawi Riverfront project, Mubarak Mandi Heritage project, Gandola project and others to attract the tourists coming to the state.